Lower scores on a GRE retake?

[esotericish]

Hi all,

 

I took the GRE for the first time about 4 years ago for my MA applications. I didn't do terribly - 84th percentile on verbal, 54th quantitative, and a 4.0 on the writing. But I didn't study as much as I could have, and I'm signed up to take it again in a few weeks. I'm applying to PhD programs in political science. Let's say, hypothetically, I do slightly worse on this retake. Can I send my old scores over the new ones?

[jujubea]

Yeah there's some new thing where ETS lets you pick and choose the scores you send - check out the ETS website and it explains it. They have some silly proprietary name for it, like ScoreSelect or something.

 

Also, you should check with the specific programs you're applying to and what their own policies are on multiple scores. Some average them. Some take the highest of each section. Some take the highest combined. Some take the most recent.... etc.

 

We're in similar boats!  I took GRE 2009 and did about the same as you, and I'm retaking this week. 

 

But yeah, ETS lets you choose which scores to send, but I can't recall how to do it, so take a look.

[esotericish]

Ah, good info! Here's what you were referencing: https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about/scoreselect